442 ANIMAL DRUGS 



CONSTITUENTS. Largely calcium carbonate, there being only 4 per cent, 

 or less of animal matter present and a small percentage of silica, alumina, 

 magnesia, and calcium phosphate and sulphate. 



USES. Antacid. The shell, to be used, should first be thoroughly purified 

 and washed in boiling water. Dose: 5 to 15 gr. (0.3 to i Gm.). 



612. OS SEPL5S. CUTTLEFISH BONE. 



SOURCE. Se'pia officina'lis is the species from which this calcareous bone 

 is obtained; it inhabits the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. 



DESCRIPTION. A white, flattish, oval-oblong bone about 100 mm. (4 in.) 

 in length; exterior hard and smooth, interior porous and friable; inodorous; 

 taste somewhat saline and earthy. 



CONSTITUENTS. Mostly calcium carbonate, with from 10 to 15 per cent, 

 of animal matter and a very small percentage of sodium chloride, calcium 

 phosphate, and magnesia. 



USES. An antacid. Extensively employed in the manufacture of tooth 

 powders, and used to some extent as a polishing agent. 



613. CALCULI CANCRORUM. CRABS' STONES. 



SOURCE. The stomach of the crab (Asta'cus fluviati'lis Fab. or Cancer 

 astacus Linn6), where they are formed by concretions. The crab is found in 

 rivers throughout the North Temperate Zone. 



DESCRIPTION. The circular, plano-convex stones vary in size from 3 to 10 

 mm. (^g to % in.) in diameter, and are white and hard, changing in hot water 

 to a rose-red; tasteless and inodorous. When treated with hydrochloric acid, 

 they effervesce until nothing is left but a small plano-convex, cartilaginous 

 mass. 



SUBSTITUTIONS. Artificial stones are sometimes manufactured, but can 

 be distinguished from the true crabs' stones by treating with HC1, when, if 

 they are artificial, they leave little or no residue. 



CONSTITUENTS. Calcium carbonate 63 per cent., calcium phosphate 17 per 

 cent., animal matter 12 to 15 per cent., and small portions of phosphate of 

 magnesium and sodium salts. 



USES. Antacid. 



614. ICHTHYOCOLLA. ISINGLASS. The swimming-bladder or sound of the 

 Sturgeon, a fish found in the Black and Caspian Seas and their tributary 

 streams. The swimming-bladders of other fish are also employed for this 

 purpose, but the isinglass from the Russian species, Acipenser huso, A. gulden- 

 stadtii, A. ruthenus, and A. stellatus, is considered the finest and purest. The 

 inner layer of the swimming-bladder is separated from the outer, and after 

 being washed is thoroughly dried. The sheets of commercial isinglass are 

 prepared in various forms leaf isinglass (single sheets), book isinglass (sev- 

 eral sheets folded together), and staple isinglass. In appearance it resembles 

 horn, is of a yellowish-white color, semi-transparent and iridescent. The sub- 

 stance is tough, tearing with difficulty even in the direction of the fibers, but 

 dissolves completely in hot water, forming a transparent jelly on cooling in 

 a solution of 24 parts of the same. Constituents: Gelatin (98 per cent., in 

 the best Russian variety) and from 2 to 30 per cent, of insoluble membrane, 

 the ash amounting to only about 0.5 per cent. Nutritive, easily digested. 

 Emollient and protective externally. 



615. AMBRA GRISEA. AMBERGRIS. 



SOURCE. Physe'ter macroceph'alus, a species of whale inhabiting the 

 Indian Ocean and the southern part of the Pacific Ocean, excretes a substance 

 from the intestines which is found floating on the surface of the water; this 

 is known as ambergris. 



DESCRIPTION. Waxy, grayish-brown, with streaks and dots; odor peculiar, 

 taste slight; soluble in hot alcohol, ether, fats, and volatile oils. 



CONSTITUENTS. Ambrein (brilliant white needles precipitated from alco- 

 holic solution) 85 per cent., a balsamic extractive, and a very small proportion 

 of ash. On account of its high price adulterations of and substitutions for 

 ambergris are common, but the genuine article is easily distinguished by 

 means of its complete solubility in hot alcohol, and evaporation without evolv- 

 ing acrid vapor. 



Preparation of Ambrien. Obtained by crystallizing from hot alcoholic solution 

 of ambergris; it forms white, shining, tasteless, and inodorous needles which fuse 

 near 35<>C. 



